First among the few: Cleveland's Neal Ball was first to turn unassisted triple play 100 years ago

National Baseball Hall of FameCleveland Naps shortstop Neal Ball (second from left) poses with (from left) Amby McConnell, Heinie Wagner and Jack Stahl of Boston after Ball made big-league baseball's first unassisted triple play on July 19, 1909.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Today marks a baseball feat that took place 100 years ago right here in Cleveland: baseball's first unassisted triple play. There have been only 13 others since that first one in 1909. That's an average of only one every eight years.

The man who first accomplished this rare feat is the appropriately named Neal Ball, who played from 1909-12 for the Naps (which later became known as the Indians).

Because this unassisted triple play was the first one and because it happened so fast, hardly anyone at the ballpark that day realized there were three outs: The 11,000 fans were slow to react. The opposing team was warming up the next batter. Ball's teammates remained in their respective positions. Even the famous pitcher on the mound that day was getting ready to throw the next pitch.

The historic play took place at League Park in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. Ball was playing shortstop for Cleveland when Boston's Heinie Wagner led off the second inning with a single. Jake Stahl followed by beating out a bunt. The next man up was Amby McConnell, who worked the count to 3-2 when Boston manager Fred Lake flashed the hit-and-run sign.

In an interview, Ball described what followed: "Cy Young was pitching for us when McConnell fouled off the first pitch. On the next pitch, McConnell shot one right over Young's head. It was on the rise, and I didn't think I had any chance of getting it.

Photo courtesy Kathia MillerAbout the authorKathia Miller is the great-niece of Neal Ball. The source for her story is a combination of family lore and newspaper clippings from the day. Miller lives in Naples, Fla., where she has been an English professor at Edison State College. She also plays drums in a rock band. She remains a fan of the Indians because of Neal Ball's connection, but says Ball became a Yankees fan in later life because of his connection to Babe Ruth. To contact Miller, e-mail kmiller@edison.edu.

"But I gave it a try, and there was the ball, traveling over second. I jumped, and sure enough, it stuck in my glove.

"After that, there was no trouble. Wagner had already rounded third, and all I had to do to get him was step on second.

"Stahl was racing to second when I caught the ball. He couldn't stop and ran right into my hands. I actually waited for him."

This account is typical of the man born Cornelius Ball: both humorous and humble. In fact, when the play was over, he nonchalantly threw down his glove and headed to the dugout. That's when a surprised Young asked, "Where are you going, Neal?"

Neal simply replied, "That's three outs."

Finally the spectators gave Ball a great ovation for the first unassisted triple play in major-league records. It took 20 minutes to clear off all the hats thrown on the field.

Nor had the crowd stopped cheering when in the next inning, the Cleveland Press reported, Ball "walked to the plate and lined a mightily [sic] home run over [Tris] Speaker's head in deep center. Then the crowd did go wild."

It was the only homer Ball hit all season. What a day!

Ball's glove is on permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, along with a picture of him posing with the three men he put out.

Fittingly, one stop in Ball's 7-year big-league career was in 1913, when he went to play for the same Boston team he had victimized.

Ball's relationship with Babe Ruth is also noteworthy: When Ball coached with the Baltimore Orioles, he was given the assignment of training young Ruth, fresh out of St. Mary's Industrial School.

"Babe was the dumbest and yet the strongest player I had ever met," Ball remarked. "He had baseball sense. You'd only have to tell him something once."

Babe had great admiration for Ball and came to his home to get approval to marry Helen Woodford when he was a rookie pitcher. Ball's reply? "Aw, go ahead; she seems like a nice gal."

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